A school bus scheme introduced by Neath Port Talbot Council is proving popular with parents.

Where school transport is running at less than full capacity the council's Spare Seat Scheme allows some pupils who don't qualify for free transport to pay for travel to and from class.

The scheme is seen as helping these families, the environment by cutting car journeys and the council tax payer by raising money.

Neath Port Talbot Council leader Derek Vaughan said: 'This scheme maximises the use of school transport, makes it more accessible for families and has a positive impact on the environment.'

This term, about 90 pupils not entitled to free school transport have used the council's home-to-school contract vehicles.

The seats, which cost £260 a year with a discount for a second child from the same address, are particularly helpful to parents whose children attend a school outside their normal catchment area or who live within the statutory distances used to determine free travel entitlement.

But if extra accommodation is needed for entitled children then seats may be withdrawn and a refund made.